Victims' Minister Helen Grant said victims need more help "navigating a confusing and often intimidating criminal justice system."

A new Victims Code to be announced by the Government today will ensure victims of the most serious crime receive extra help and support including pre-trial counselling.

Helen Grant MP Credit: Yui Mok/PA Archive

Ms Grant added: "I have always been clear we must put a stop to this, and make sure victims of crime are treated with the care they deserve. This total revamp of the Victims Code has been one of my main priorities and I have heard from victims just how important getting this right is."

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Charities are warning that crime victims will no longer be referred to victims' services under new plans proposed today by the Government.

Currently, all victims are offered support once they experience a crime, but 80 per cent of them do not take it up.

Instead, automatic help will now be offered by the Ministry of Justice to those who "most need it".

Being a victim of crime can be traumatic and we're worried that victims will fall through the cracks. We hope that police and crime commissioners, with their responsibilities for victims, will want to go further than this to ensure that all victims have the support they need, when they need it.